Canada's top public health doctor says to expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to stick around for a long time. Dr. Theresa Tam says we need to be prepared for more than one wave of the novel coronavirus. She says we don't know whether COVID-19 will fade and resurge as seasons pass. But Tam says we can expect to learn a great deal from the current fight and get better and better prepared.

BC and Saskatchewan are the latest provinces to declare states of emergency in the face of the global novel coronavirus pandemic. BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says it will better protect the public. He says the legislature will resume on Monday with a reduced number of members to pass legislation to ensure continuity of government and response to COVID-19. In Saskatchewan, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls have been ordered to close until further notice.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 6:40 p.m. on March 18, 2020. There are 705 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. British Columbia: 231 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 5 resolved) Ontario: 212 confirmed (including 1 death, 5 resolved) Alberta: 97 confirmed Quebec: 94 confirmed (including 1 death) Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 14 presumptive Manitoba: 8 confirmed, 7 presumptive Nova Scotia: 3 confirmed, 9 presumptive New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 9 presumptive Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed Newfoundland and Labrador: No confirmed

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada is working to increase the number of ventilators it has to meet an expected urgent need as a result of required treatment for COVID-19. She says both in Canada and abroad, officials are also working on figuring out the best treatments for the illness, and finding a vaccine. Hajdu says procurement efforts for medical equipment need to take into account making sure all countries have access to what they need, and those demands are evolving in real-time.

Westjet Airlines says some of its passengers may have been exposed to people infected with the novel coronavirus on recent flights.The Calgary-based company made the announcement on their website and social media Tuesday, listing the flights and affected rows.It says passengers in affected rows are considered close contacts to those infected and could be at risk of exposure.The company says a total of 14 flights between March 12 and Feb. 28 had passengers on board who tested positive for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal government is going to provide $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses to help them get through the economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be $55 billion to help Canadians meet liquidity needs through tax deferrals. There will be an emergency care benefit for those for those who fall ill, need to self-isolate or have to take care of family member with COVID-19 but fail to qualify for employment insurance. There will be an emergency support benefit for those who lose their jobs and don't qualify f

The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump made that announcement Wednesday on Twitter as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.Trump says the decision will not affect the flow of trade between the countries.Trump writes that ``We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic.'' Both countries are eager to choke off the spread of the virus but also maintain their vital economic relationship.Canada relies on the U.S. for 75% of its

There have now been eight COVID-19 deaths in Canada, as BC reports another three fatalities hours after Ontario announced its first death. BC's provincial health officer says six of the deaths stem from a care home in North Vancouver, while a man in his 80s died on Monday in hospital in the Fraser Health region Health officials in Ontario say the 77-year-old man in the Muskoka region was not a confirmed case, but the illness was discovered after his death, the cause of which remains under investigation. BC, Ontario and Alberta have also declared public health emergencies today.

Alberta is declaring a state of public emergency in reaction to the novel coronavirus. Premier Jason Kenney has announced that any gathering larger than 50 people, including weddings and funerals must be cancelled. Public recreation facilities, casinos, bingo halls, bars, museums and art galleries will also be shuttered if not already. Worship services and conferences also fall under the 50 person rule. Kenney says his government will spend $60 million on charities and non profit groups who are helping people cope with the effects of the virus.